Restaurant Review: Royal China Canary Riverside. I reviewed the Baker Street restaurant in June 2015 and loved it. We were walking from St Katharine Docks to Canary Wharf so decided to pop in and try this one and weren’t disappointed. If you’re looking for the best Chinese restaurant in London or places to eat in Canary Wharf, then you must try Royal China Canary Riverside.
“At the weekend Royal China at Canary Riverside is crazy with queues out the door but the hour wait is worth it for the best Dim Sum and Hong Kong Chinese dishes with Cantonese flavours you’ll get in London,” Homegirl London
Royal China Canary Riverside Lunch Menu
As I said, we’d reviewed the Baker Street branch back in 2015, and it was terrific. We then took Homeboy’s dad who was visiting from Chicago, and he loved the place. After moving near the Shard, we’ve talked about walking to Canary Wharf so decided to visit out this branch. There were queues out the door, and we waited for over an hour to be seated. Was it worth the wait? Yes, it was!!! Having eaten a lot of Chinese food recently, I’d say this is one of the best in London, so you must try it.
Crabmeat and Spinach Dumplings
Royal China is famous for its Dim Sum, which is first class. Dumpling options include Minced Pork with Cabbage, Deep Fried Sweet Purple Potatoes with Red Bean Paste, Crab Meat with Scallop and more. I tried vegetarian dumplings which were exceptional while Homeboy tried Crab Meat with Spinach and Prawn dumplings, and these were as perfect as you can get.
Vegetarian Dumplings
The main menu starters include Fresh Lobster, Steamed Fresh Scallop, Seafood Wrap, Crispy Aromatic Duck (plus a veggie version) and Peking Duck. As the colder weather is on its way, you might prefer soup. Straw Mushroom Chicken, Creamy Sweet Corn with Chicken or Crab Meat, Prawn and Pork Wonton are some of the options. Appetisers include Deep Fried Baby Squid, Crispy Prawn Rolls (Homeboy tried these, and they were awesome) and Vegetable Spring Rolls which were above average.
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Seafood dishes included Sweet and Sour King Prawns, Steamed Whole Seabass and Steamed Eel with Black Bean Sauce. Chicken is served in various ways, with curry sauce, sautéed with mixed veg, with chilli in Chiu Chow Style. Beef can be enjoyed with Oyster, Teriyaki or with Black Pepper Sauce.
Crispy Prawns
Some of the more unusual dishes included Sliced Preserved Pork Knuckle with Jelly Fish, Assorted Barbecue Meat with Jelly Fish and Jelly Fish Tossed with Cucumber. The head chef is Jiang Ping, look out for the Chef’s Specials such as the Sautéed Assorted Seafood in Bird’s Nest.
Sesame Prawn Rolls
The vegetable dishes are fabulous. I’m not sure how they manage to do it, but these are the best-tasting vegetables you’ll find in London. We ordered Sautéed Chinese Broccoli with Ginger, and it was outstanding. Fresh Asparagus and Pak Choi with Garlic is also served sautéed. Other veggies include Shaolin Monk’s Vegetables in a Clay Pot, and they have a few Braised Bean Curd dishes.
Sautéed Chinese Broccoli
Rice options include Steamed, Egg Fried, Seafood Fried, Chicken and Pineapple and more. We tried the Mixed Vegetable Soft Noodles, which were super tasty. Singapore Rice Vermicelli and Fried Udon With Assorted Seafood are other choices.
Mixed Vegetable Soft Noodles
We saved our Steamed Custard Buns for the dessert. Other options are Apple or Banana in Toffee Syrup and Chilled Tapioca with Yam in Coconut Soup. Prices for desserts are £5.50-7.80. To give you an idea of other prices, the Dim Sum is £5.80-7.50, Appetisers are £6.80-8.80 and Beef Dishes 1£5.80-18.80.
Royal China Canary Riverside Interiors
The interiors here are a bit scruffy side, but you hardly notice anything because the place is so busy, it’s a sea of happy people eating their food. The floor is carpeted, the tables are dressed in white table cloths. Elsewhere the décor is high gloss black lacquer. There are large windows so that you can admire the riverside view. Outside are tables and chairs, but these weren’t being used for diners on Sunday we visited, they were filled with people waiting to sit down and eat.
Royal China Canary Riverside Information
Restaurant Exterior
To find out more about the restaurant, go to the Royal China Website. The restaurant address is 30 Westferry Circus, London E14 8RR. It is located opposite the Thames Pier. The nearest stations are Westferry and Canary Wharf. Enjoy your Dim Sum!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Thanks: Homeboy for dining with me.
